Artesia man, 60, found gunned down in front of home

ARTESIA — A 60-year-old Artesia man was found gunned down in front of his home early Thursday and investigators are asking for the public's help in catching his killer or killers.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies assigned to the city of Artesia were on patrol at about 1:50 a.m. in the 11900 block of Arkansas Street when they noticed a parked car with a shattered window, said Homicide Lt. Eddie Hernandez.

"They stop to investigate and they find a trail of blood (leading) into the front yard of a house," the lieutenant said.

Deputies followed the trail and found the victim, whose name was withheld Thursday pending the notification of next of kin.

"They find the victim on the ground," Hernandez said. "He was shot two times in the upper torso."

Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene and detectives are awaiting a coroner's autopsy, which will rule on the official cause of death.

There were no witnesses to the shooting and the motive for the slaying is unknown, though Hernandez said it didn't appear the victim had any gang ties.

"We really have very little to go on at this point," Hernandez said.

Sheriff's officials urged anyone with information about the killing to contact authorities, adding that tipsters can remain anonymous.

Those with information can call the Los Angeles County Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or log onto lacrimestoppers.org.